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Choose to Live Your Life in Abundance in the after--- after the spouse dies, after the marriage ends, after the kids leave. Join me on my journey of CHOOSING LIFE in my after.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live- Deut 30:19

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My Sweet Dad

My dad passed away on April 5th. It was a surprise and a shock all wrapped up in one terrible package. He had suffered from Dementia for many years, and we knew there was no cure- no chance of him getting better. The shock came after. With this terrible virus invading our land, we couldn't have a proper service to celebrate his life. In fact, we felt that we needed to rush and have our small family service so that we could each get back home to "hunker down" as our states are requesting.

Grandkids didn't get to come. Family and friends didn't get to hug us and tell us stories. We didn't get to celebrate his life in a way that was worthy of the great man he was. It makes it very sad and very hard to cope with it all.

This post is my way of honoring him! He was such a good man and a wonderful influence on my life!

I spoke a few words at his service, and this is what I said.

They loved taking us on fun trips!!

Our worlds are all smaller today because someone we loved and cared for very much is no longer on this earth with us. I will be as bold as to say that the state of Texas is a bit smaller today because a true Texas character is gone.

Daddy always said that someday he would write a book about his business dealings and he would title it, Characters I Have Known. Well, he was the character of all characters!! A shrewd businessman, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a wonderful husband, a caring grandfather, and most importantly to me, a loving father-- among many other wonderful things.

Daddy loved to tell stories. If you talked to him about anything, he had a story to tell you on the subject. He just plain loved to talk. It was probably the thing that drove my mother the most crazy- opposites truly do attract because she is a woman of very few words!! He was a man of many words and many stories.

It’s funny though, I sadly couldn’t tell you very many stories verbatim that I’ve heard over the years. I had heard some of the same ones over and over… it wasn’t his stories that taught me the most lessons. It was through his actions that I learned the most about living a good life.

Daddy lived out what he talked about. He lived out what he said he believed. He was a good man. And, I’m so thankful that he was my dad.

So what did he teach me? I think the most valuable lesson was to live out my faith. He was a Christian. He lived a Christian life. It’s as simple as that.

Daddy had a servant’s heart. He openly served his Lord. He loved to sing hymns. He served as a deacon of First Baptist Church, Hereford, Texas and First Baptist Church of Gorman. I remember specifically him going and sitting with people dying in the hospital so their families could go home for rest. I remember once him going and sitting with a deceased man from our church because the widow was worried about the body being alone.

Daddy served his employees. He loved and cared for them all. He once employed a young man fresh out of high school in whom he saw a lot of potential. The boy was somewhat lazy and would sleep instead of showing up for work. Daddy would go to the boy's house and drag him out of bed to come to work!!! He believed in him. That boy grew up and called him several years ago to let him know that he is successful in his life. He thanked Daddy for believing in him!!!-- what a legacy.

I also remember once when an employee tragically took his own life. It was a terrible time, and both of my parents were so upset by it. When my dad wasn’t home when he should be, I asked my mom where he was. She said he had gone to that man’s house to clean up where he had taken his life so his family wouldn’t have to do it. I will never forget that.

Daddy served his family. I never doubted his love for me, my sister, Susan or my mom. And, don’t get me started on his love for his grandkids!! There are no words to describe the joy, pride, and love that he had for those four kids.

He loved his grandkids!

There are endless stories that can be told about how he served us all. I remember calling him on 9-11. I asked him how he was and what he was doing. He told me he was fine that he was sitting at his desk praying!! That, in a nutshell, sums up my dad.

I always felt safe knowing that I could turn to my mom and dad for anything no matter how old I was. When my first husband passed away, my dad was one of the first people I called. And, I have no doubt that when he hung up that phone he was praying. My parents came immediately. They helped me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. I will be eternally grateful to them both.

As much as we will all miss him, I hope we never forget hearing his voice reminding me to